Hearing in Virginia drug case delayed for 900-pound man

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A hearing scheduled in Virginia in a cocaine conspiracy case has been delayed after the 900-pound (410-kilogram) defendant had to be taken to the hospital.

U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak continued the hearing for 48-year-old Kenneth T. Hicks until a week from Tuesday. It’s expected that Hicks will plead guilty in the case.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Novak revoked Hicks’ bond and directed that for Hicks’ own safety and dignity — he cannot wear clothing — that he appear in the loading dock of a courthouse for proceedings. It is expected that he will arrive via ambulance.

According to the newspaper, after he left his home in Emporia, Hicks was taken to VCU Medical Center in Richmond for an unspecified issue.